Q&A

Can you apply acrylic on the underside of the nail to prevent the product from lifting at the free edge as the nail grows out?

Can you apply acrylic on the underside of the nail to prevent the product from lifting at the free edge as the nail grows out?

A.

You can apply acrylic to the underside of the nail as long as you have prepped it as you would the top of the nail, but a better way to prevent lifting would be to keep the natural nail from drying out and curling away from the acrylic. That is why we have lifting around the free edge most of the time. I always recommend that my clients massage a drop or two of professional-quality nail oil to their nails and cuticles each night before bed because it keeps the acrylic pliable, like a natural nail, and prevents it from getting brittle. It also nourishes the natural nail and keeps it from curling under. This is a lot less work than applying acrylic to both sides of the nail and it keeps your clients’ nails and cuticles in fantastic condition. -- Melissa Wood-Lundy